For the purposes of this document, Masonic Connections refers to the paid portion of web site hosting provided to lodges to give them the ability to host and maintain their own web site. The Masonic Connections Network is separate free service that provides Masonic Connections users with optional services such as Social Networking, On-line Meeting Minutes, Members Directory Services, and Electronic News Letters.

Sitenames

Sitenames are a way to identify your site on Masonic Connections. A Sitenames is a string of numbers and a username generally is some variation of your Lodge Name.

Usernames and User IDs

Usernames and User IDs are the same thing – a way to identify you on Masonic Connections. A User ID is a string of numbers and a username generally is some variation of your name.

If another user has your Username or User ID, they can use it to access information about you through the member directory in the Masonic Connections Network section. Information such as your Address, Phone Numbers, and email address can be marked as unlisted in the User Profile section.

The Member Directory is only viewable by users of the same lodge and its primary intent is to provide a way for your lodge members to be able to contact you. It is an electronic version of a Lodge Member directory. Users from other Lodges are not able to view list.

How we use the information we receive

We use the information we receive about you in connection with the services and features we provide to you and other members. For example, your information is maintained in the Member Directory so that:

people can determine who is receiving the messages that are being sent in the Social Networking sections.

internal operations, including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, research and service improvement.

Granting us permission to use your information not only allows us to provide Masonic Connections as it exists today, but it also allows us to provide you with innovative features and services we develop in the future that use the information we receive about you in new ways.

While you are allowing us to use the information we receive about you, you always own all of your information. Your trust is important to us, which is why we don't share information we receive about you with others unless we have:

received your permission

given you notice, such as by telling you about it in this policy

or removed your name and any other personally identifying information from it.

We store data for as long as it is necessary to provide products and services to you and others, including those described above. Typically, information associated with your account will be kept until your account is deleted. For certain categories of data, we may also tell you about specific data retention practices.

We may enable access to public information that has been shared through our services.

We may allow service providers to access information so they can help us provide services.

Deactivating your account

If you want to stop using your account, you can request to have the account deactivated.

Deactivating your account puts your account on hold. Other users will still see you listed as a member, but we do not delete any of your information. Deactivating an account is the same as you telling us not to delete any information because you might want to reactivate your account at some point in the future. Users will still see you listed in the member’s directory while your account is deactivated. Only the Webmaster can deactivate a n account upon request.

Some of the things you do on Masonic Connections aren't stored in your account, like posting to a group or sending someone a message that information remains after the deactivation of your account.

Advertising

Masonic Connections Network offers services that allow advertisers to reach people on and off Masonic Connections.

When we deliver ads, we do not share your information (information that personally identifies you, such as your name or contact information) with advertisers unless you give us permission. We may provide advertisers with information when we have removed your name and other personally identifying information from it, or combined it with other information so that it no longer personally identifies you. For example, we may tell an advertiser how its ads perform or how many people viewed or clicked on their ads or install an app after seeing an ad.

Advertising is not displayed in the Masonic Connections paid web site hosting portion. Advertisement banners are only shown in the Masonic Connections Network portion and notifications generated from those separate free services.

Security and bugs

We do our best to keep your information secure. We try to keep Masonic Connections up, bug-free and safe, but can't make guarantees about any part of our services or products.

Contact us with questions or disputes

If you have questions or complaints regarding our Data Use Policy or practices, please contact us by mail at 25832 N Abbey Glenn, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047.

Notifications and Other Messages

We may send you notifications and other messages using the contact information we have for you, like your email address. You can control most of the notifications you receive, using controls we provide, such as a control included in the email you receive or in your "Notifications" settings.

Service Providers

We give your information to the people and companies that help us provide, understand and improve the services we offer. For example, we may use outside vendors to help host our website, serve photos and videos, process payments, analyze data, conduct and publish research, measure the effectiveness of ads, or provide search results. In all of these cases our partners must agree to only use your information consistent with the agreement we enter into with them, as well as this Data Use Policy.

Change of Control

If the ownership of our business changes, we may transfer your information to the new owner so they can continue to operate the service. But they will still have to honor the commitments we have made in this Data Use Policy.

Notice of Changes

If we make changes to this Data Use Policy we will notify you (for example, by publication here and on the Masonic Connections Privacy Page).

If the changes are material, we will provide you additional, prominent notice as appropriate under the circumstances. You can make sure that you receive notice directly maintaining an updated email address in your user profile.

Opportunity to comment

Unless we make a change for legal or administrative reasons, or to correct an inaccurate statement, we will give you seven (7) days to provide us with comments on the change. After the comment period, if we adopt any changes, we will provide notice on the Privacy Policy Page of the effective date.